Kunju, whose remarks at an IUML meeting have landed the Congress-led UDF Government in an embarrassing position, said he had only made remarks that any political leader would do in a party forum, but it had been misinterpreted.
Addressing a meet-the-press programme organised by the Kannur Press Club, the Minister declined to say anything more on the remarks, which had attracted sharp criticism from Opposition LDF, BJP and two major Hindu organisations.
Kunju had on Saturday told a party meeting in Palakkad that the League, the second largest partner in the UDF, was controlling the rule in the state.
Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan and CPI-M state Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had said the statement reflected the unquestioned supremacy of IUML in the ruling UDF dispensation.
The Nair Service Society and Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, which represent the powerful Nair and Ezhava communities, have also criticised the remarks saying minorities were trying to establish their hold over the majority community.
However, the Congress did not give much significance to the remarks. KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala said the League was an integral part of UDF and the party had its own prominence in the Front. The Minister had only meant that the League had the responsibility to carry forward all sections of society, he said.
